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PRO (yes) Comments (45)

"The US has some of the greatest health care in the world and one of the worst payer systems. The payer system we have has created a "sick care" system where the sicker you are the more money hospital systems and corporate physician organizations make. Insurance companies will always be profitable by raising rates and dropping you if you have a chronic condition. We need a single payer system that works to cure patients."

"Actually we have some of the worst healthcare in the world and spend the most per person than any other advanced industrialized nation. We have the highest infant mortality rate and the lowest mortality rate. Look up you facts."

"What you don't get is only about 8% of the population uses 80% of the health care dollars. It would be very simple to convert all health claims that exceed as certain $ amount to be transferred to the Large Claim Health Management System. Therefore the insurance companies premiums would go drastically down and 100% of population would be able to afford the routine care that 92% of population utilizes. The Federal Government could focus on the large claim situations and how to control these costs. Oh wait a minute you think the Feds should own your HealthCare not you."

"How would single-payer solve the problem of "sick care"? Does it pay doctors and hospitals to keep patients out of their offices and ERs? Didn't think so. Seriously, do you pay your mechanic more because your car is working properly? Same idea.

By the way, you do realize that when an insurer raises rates they must show cause actuarially and the State must approve the increase, don't you? You do realize that most companies make a 10% profit in a good year and that they can lose that and more in a bad year, don't you? If you do, your implication of greed is disingenuous; if you don't, you are either misinformed or uninformed."

"Do you even know what Obamacare is about? This post is high on rhetoric, but empty of substance. The program mandates that previously uninsurable people (ie: people who will cost money to the carrier) can't be denied coverage. It also mandates that EVERYBODY MUST buy health insurance, or else be penalized monetarily by the government. It's not about affordable health care. It's about socialism."

"When I lived in the US, if I got sick I would wait a week for it to go away. If it didn't, I would take every drug in the pharmacy. I didn't have insurance, so a professional, trained, qualified doctor was absolutely out of the question. Now I'm in the UK, I can visit a doctor and not be broke. The US health system infringes on our constitutional right to life. If we have to leave America to follow the constitution, what's the point?"

"Right after my stepdad and my mom got divorced, my mom began to look for her healthcare options. Then, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare, deadly bone cancer meant for children. Somehow she got it anyway. The doctors told her she was gonna die in a week. She now is living for 4 years now. The related thing to this is without Obamacare, she wouldn't have been able to afford healthcare, meaning she wouldn't have been able to afford treatment or her bills afterwards. Obamacare was a life saver for my single mom with no job."

"as a physician - coming originally from Germany - I do believe we need a better coverage for larger parts of the population - Obama care was not perfect - but it was the right step in the right direction - it will not work without a mandate ..... we need to strengthen the idea of solidarity among us"

"I have many friends from all over the world and every one of them have national healthcare and they love it. The US has to got do the same. This initial healthcare reform started by Obama is just in its infancy steps in the right direction. It would have been better if it weren't for all of the GOP opposition. It WILL work because it has been proven to work elsewhere. However, it all takes time to evolve into a more substantial system and the public must be educated better than it is now as to the great benefits it will provide - in time....folks are way to impatient and the GOP craziness does not help the situation. All they want to do is oppose ANYTHING Pres Obamas supports....it boils down to politics. They don't care about the individual American.

Interesting to note that the history of bills submitted with individual healthcare mandates was originally proposed by REPUBLICANS!!! The ONLY reason why the GOP is now stating their disapproval is because it is part of the Pres Obama heath care package of reforms. ProCon has a great page of the timeline of the republican support and history of health care reform bills. Visit here for the timeline: http://healthcarereform.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004182"

"This is different than what you're referring to. If it were about healthcare, then there would be a payroll tax marked: "healthcare"... What happens is this: You MUST purchase insurance coverage. If you don't, the federal government will penalize you with a tax of around 1% of your gross income... They'll get your money, but you won't have coverage..... It's about money. Pure and simple."

"Should you be taxed more for carrying auto insurance to help pay for auto insurance of those that don't carry it but drive anyway? How about on your homeowners insurance? Maybe your life insurance?

Insurance is a consumable, the more/better coverage you want...the more it will cost you. The best part of it all, the individual has the power to decide their level of coverage - which is preferred to being forced into a bad policy by the federal government."

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That's the core logic of the ACA. Adequate insurance means early intervention, means lower long term cost to the tune of over 100 $billion this decade according to the CBO. Will it solve the health care cost crisis in the US? Not by a long shot. Corporate "entitlements" are the real problem, but as long as the ghost of Eugene McCarthy sits on 90% of the shoulders in Washington DC, NOTHING is happening to bring down THOSE costs. All that leaves is jiggering an inherently larcenous system to squeeze out a little better efficiency. Still, for 32 million people who stand to get insurance for the first time, and the rest of us who won't have to pay for quite so many emergency room visits as a result, it's a step in the right direction."

"The only way to have previous conditions covered is to have a mandate. In the long run it will reduce healthcare costs. The US spends 2-3 times more than other countries on healthcare and still we have 5o million people uninsured. That's ridiculous. The current system is a mess. Not sure Obamacare is the right fix but it's a step in the right direction."

"Requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions is akin to requiring an insurer to issue a policy for a house already on fire. How does that save money in the long run?

I will say that if a pre-existing condition occurred while insured and you have continuous coverage (no more than a 63-day lapse), there should be no exclusion on the new policy. However, that is part of the purpose of HIPAA. The problem occurs when someone with a pre-existing condition who did not have continuous coverage enrolls, expecting that the company should cover it from day one with no appreciable premium received. Is that fair to the insurer and all those who have been paying their premiums for years and years?

What would seem to be a fair compromise (as opposed to flat declination) would be an exclusionary period or a limitation on benefits for a certain period of time. Again, that is for someone who has not had coverage and is getting it only because now they are sick."

"I don't think Americans should be mandated to purchase health insurance from for-profit companies. I had hoped that Universal Health Care would come in the form of single-payer coverage, paid to health care agencies, by the government from tax and cost-cutting revenues. I think we need to take the profit out of health care, that everyone should be covered and that care/treament should be based on research-based outcomes. If individuals choose to buy private insurance so they can have "Cadillac Coverage", that would always be a choice."

"Do you not realize that those profits you want to take away fund the research that produces new medicines, procedures, equipment, etc, that make the American medical system the best in the world? You want to see what non-profit, single-payer medical care looks like? Go to Cuba."

"I completely agree with Karen in that "taking the profit out of health care" is the key. Let's start by eliminating the middlemen for-profit insurance companies completely and then permit the government to use its huge purchasing power to negotiate lower drug prices for all of us as they are currently doing for veterans (VA). These sound like some good ideas here too: http://www.naturalnews.com/021610.html"

"Karen, that is exactly what Obama and most that voted for him wanted. A 100% government run program (single payer) like that of the VA system. But opponents insisted on the current law provisions and then voted against it. Thanks"

"I am a huge supporter of the health care reform...I just wish President Obama had gotten what he wanted. My husband, a physician is also in favor of single payer system for all. The fear mongering that has gone on over this is shameful."

"Now I don't have to worry about being un-insured while I'm studying at college, I'll stil be under my parents plan. And my boyfriend, who has never had health insurance, because of his pre-existing condition, can finally get insurance without it being super expensive."

"I lived in Europe where they have single payer systems in several forms and I would take the worst of them over the "best" private insurance offered to the majority of our country's citizens. The lies about having to wait forever for routine care and emergency surgery are just that--lies. The waits do happen, but they are for procedures that are not life-threatening and can keep (knee replacements are not emergencies, even if the knees are not in great shape). People don't go bankrupt, either, to get their care. We have so many loopholes in our policies that, even if we have insurance, we may well have no coverage until after all the deductibles and mandatory fees are paid. A friend in Germany had major surgery and a 14-day hospital stay for therapy--final cost to him was around $140 US. I ran the same care through my insurance: $15,000 before it would pay dime one. I also believe reform does not go far enough. There is a fast-track to single-payer in a hurry on a national level, if only more of our "representatives" would grow some pairs. It just takes creativity and sneakiness. Or a president who will just issue an Executive Order and be done with it. It would be very hard to put the Genii back in the bottle once done."

"I have relatives and the UK and Scandinavia and they say the same thing. In England, my cousin said you would have to wait for non emergencies, though you could use private insurance. All this, don't tell me what to do is not making us healthier."

"I think it's a great thing. Canada and most of Europe have national healthcare, and it works beautifully. I do not see any problems with this plan, except maybe pissing off some Dark Ages Republicans who never want progress to happen with this country, and only care about themselves. These people who strongly oppose Obamacare are just insanely delusional if they think everything about America, especially the capitalism is working just fine."

"Yes, Europe does have it. Look what happened to Greece just a couple of years ago-they were stealing money from citizens because they were spending so much money on things like healthcare. They have very high quality healthcare there too, 14th overall in universal healthcare, so that sucked a lot of their money. So, with universal health care, that's one problem right there-it costs lot for the government to roll out. Another problem- it costs too much for middle class families who don't need everything in the package but are 1) being forced to buy the whole thing and 2) being forced to buy it or pay a penalty. Yes, Republicans are mad about this, but YOU are the ones holding America back by enforcing this and making middle class people have to suffer and not put in as much money in the economy. They are the ones who help the economy to thrive and we need them to pay into our economy so 1) the government will have enough to spend and 2) if they don't, they won't be taking more from us in taxes. Really, they're so delusional, huh? What's your solution to capitalism then if it's not working? Integrate communism? That's definitely not going to work. If you think it is, YOU are 'insanely delusional'."

"The judicial legislative and the executive all support this law and despite it's many faults it offers life and liberty (from disease) to those who may not have been able to get it. We have a medical system for our criminals in prison, so why not for our poor trying to live good lives."

"The 100% government VA healthcare system is the best in the world. Even Republican Senators go to Army and Naval hospitals for their personal care instead of using private hospitals. It is a time proven example that government can run a healthcare system well, even though the new system is still a private system because of uneducated opponents."

"Dr M.... Wrong again. I have been under VA care for years as well as private care. The VA system and services far exceed any private I have received. Tens of thousands of vets will agree in spite of your negative comment."

"I would have to disagree. It might be the best in the world for a younger vet, but once vets get older and need nursing home placement, most of the time getting VA contracted patients cared for in GA is like pulling teeth. They deny therapy from patients that could clearly benefit from it and don't even let me get started on how long it takes to get a Dr.'s appt for the patients that have to go the the VA Dr's."

"I'm con very good counter arguement but I have one question. If the new system is privatized t like u stated then how can the goverment force people to buy into it? Answer they cant unless you want a socialist society"

"Unfortunately, that is swiftly going away because those same Republican Senators getting the care that SHOULD be going to our vets want to kill their care. Even Tricare, which vets PAY FOR after being promised lifetime free care a generation ago, is under attack. It pretty much stinks when vets with 100% war-related disabilities.were being told by McCain (in 2008) their conditions are not as important as his were. Now people like Bachmann are calling vets "freeloaders". Too much Ayn Rand, I guess."

"You have obviously never been to nor recieved care in a VA hospital. No private paying or subsidized American would tolerate this type of care, as "we" want the best product for the least cost at our earliest convenience. Ask you average vet about the experience at the local VA, not a senator recieving care at the two or three elite training military hospital facilities. You be saddened, and then angered."

"Because it is what we,the people are supposed to do. Indersntand that it is a right to have access to and o be able to afford health care. That healthcare is not to be capitalized on, and we need to remember that America is great because we take care of our people. Now we can join the rest of the world."

"While Obama may be making a shaky start, it is indeed a start. While we as a country disagree about many subjects, we can agree on one thing: preventive procedures will be and will forever be less expensive than treatment itself. I'm glad that Obama has acknowledged this fact, and simply addressing this one fact alone and acting on it can save both families and the government ridiculous amounts of money once these new laws become active."

"It may only be an imperfect first step toward health care reform, but it is a necessary step. The insurance companies came along because of the individual mandate that gives them new customers. In return they lose the ability to deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions. That alone is worthwhile."

"I would prefer that health care be taken cared of in the private sector; however, it is already an accepted fact that our market-oriented economic system has its shortcomings. Therefore, if we are to live up to our Founding Fathers' expectations expressed in our Constitution's Preamble ("promote the general welfare", "insure domestic tranquility", and, "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity"), then it is logical that our Government step in to assist any person in America to stay able-bodied to fulfill their civic duties and responsibilities."

"It depends on how you view the preamble and the constitution because the biggest line tat pertains to tis is, "promote the general welfare" well promote doesn't mean to take govermental control of people health. Promote is to well hel facilitate and take care of meaning in the control of the private sector not Obama."

"I followed the whole process and at the implentation of "Obamacare" I celebrated. I am Jane Doe Public and health care was reletively unaccessable to me/us. Best reform in 45 years. Thank you Obama for your humanity. All my support and prayers."

"To Studley (and everyone else who believes, falsely, that anyone in America who cannot afford health care under our current system is unemployed by choice or a freeloader), please keep your comments to yourself. You do not contribute anything constructive to the conversation.

The Affordable Health Care Act is the first step toward much needed health care reform in this country. President Obama has stated publicly that it isn't perfect, and he intends to continue to work to improve it. It is my hope that the Republican Party will back down from their obstructionist position and work with the Democrats to make health care available to all Americans."

"We, as a society, have an obligaiton to extend our collective wealth to help others who cannot afford health insurance whatever the reason. Ignoring those in need or pretending that they don't exist when they go to the emergency room, for example, increases the costs for all of us."

"The ACA is the result of President Obama's attempt to compromise against the ultra right, rich conservatives who oppose universal, federal care. It is HIGHLY misleading to simply lump them into the "CON" column, when in fact, they supported Obama's original notion of universal, government supported healthcare."

"I am 100% in support of the Health Care passed uder the Leadership of President Obama. The argument about the cost of the plan foolish. When I am in need of medical care I am not concern about the cost, I am concern about getting well. American must be healthy inorder to move forward and compete in the global economy of today. We need a healthy America for ALL AMERICANS."

"Yes, I agree that America should be healthy for the sake of our people. However, the cost is a big deal for people who don't need everything in the Obamacare package but are being forced to buy something so expensive. Middle class families and the wealthy are being charged so much when they can get a better plan that best suits them for a much cheaper price. That will enable them to pour more money into the economy, which will bring more money into the government naturally and lower taxes. Wouldn't that be better? And for those who don't need it, should that be their choice? Who are you to decide what they should and should not do? Who are you to decide what's best for them and for anyone else? The government is there for us to protect us and stay in their limits to do so, not overreach their boundaries and decide what we do. We should be healthy to compete in the economy, but Obamacare is not the correct way of going about it. All Americans should be healthy, but you telling us that we all should be forced to buy Obamacare is not the way to get us there."

"Health care reform and Tricare... the ultimate gray area. I have found mixed answers to whether or not Tricare (Prime, Remote, Standard, or Overseas) for active duty military members and their families is required to comply with the new benefits of the Health Care Reform Laws, specifically H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872. It seems that even though Tricare meets the minimum essential coverage aspect of the law; Tricare itself, claims it does not have to provide the same level of coverage mandated in the PPACA. Why is this? Specifically, women's preventative services postpartum (like breast pumps) are not covered benefits as with the PPACA, why? Tricare has stated that they are a benefit and not an insurance provider, however the PPACA states that Tricare meets the insurance provider requirement. Confusing, eh?"

"The ACA is a good start at reforming our broken HC system, and we should support it, but it's not the end by any means. Our current HC system is a disgrace. We should all be ashamed of it. I am not referring to our medical institutions, which are the best in the world. I'm referring to people's ACCESS (or lack thereof) to the benefits of those medical institutions. That is the disgrace. We are the worst among developed nations in terms of access to HC. Of the 32 developed nations in the world, 31 have universal healthcare coverage, with the one exception being . . . the United States. Now that's American exceptionalism for you! The richest country in the world doesn't provide health care to all its citizens - by choice??? Pathetic. This is the one and only developed country where someone can get cancer and then have their house taken away from them because they can't afford the treatment. Pathetic. We live in the richest (and greatest?) country in the world, yet we rank 34th in the world in infant mortality. Even Cuba does better than us in that measure. Shameful. Clearly, we can, should, and must reform our HC system. It's just a matter of people being properly informed and creating the will to change it."

"Everyone needs healthcare. The cost for healthare is too high for most people to afford. So the cost just gets passed to the taxpayer. People shouldn't end up losing everything just because they get sick."

"I need affordable healthcare while I start up my business, so this would hopefullly be the solution to my problem.I would like to see all uninsured put in one large pool, where everyone pays the same amount for insurance no matter what their current health situation is (even for smokers or tanning bed users)...keep it simple!!! I want to see the portion of act utilized where health care professionals are more involved in researching why the number of emergency room visits/office visits are so high for specific patients and give those patients individualized attention to correct or improve upon their health situation (these users cost the most in any health care plan).If done right, the ACA could be a good thing for the U.S.If done wrong, it will be another government boondoggle.We the people need to follow this act and ensure it is being properly followed by insurance companies and physicians.Once initiated, we should be able to expect a significant, gradual decrease in premiums over the next 5 years as we get our health in check.Then premiums should stabilize as we go into "maintain" mode.I would like to understand more about expected premium amounts.Globally, $200-300 healthcare premiums are average paid. Where are we? REF: CNN"

"The quality of the health care available to us is excellent. But paying the rising costs of that care is creating a stratified society: those who can pay the costs and those who cannot. I'm unwilling to see less-prosperous Americans be denied essential care -- possibly leading to early death -- or suffer bankruptcy."

"Obama had to do something. He got no help from the Republicans whatsoever. He and the Democrats deserve praise for caring enough about our health to try and fix a screwed up system that bankrupts so many Americans and keeps so many others unhealthy or intensely frustrated with their insurers. Yes, the changes are good for America. There may be some bad in those 900+ pages too, but so what. He couldn't make it perfect with no support from the Republicans. Just be thankful for what we got."

"@Justine-You're right. They didn't come back and say, "This is a nice idea" because it's a terrible one. Everyone should be able to get healthcare, but people who already have a good plan or want to buy something else and can shouldn't be forced to buy whatever the government mandates. Republicans want to give people the choice, not sign a bill saying 'everyone take this standardized healthcare that may or may not be what you want but is extremely expensive if you only needed the bare minimum'."

"33 attempts to go through Congress at the taxpayers expense. Not once did the Republicans come back and say, 'this is a nice idea, but let's tweak it a little so it doesn't cost the people quite as much and still has the national benefits of giving everyone an equal opportunity at better healthcare'. Nope, not once did they make the effort."

"i see 1 major problem w/this though...those of us who worked in our lives paying for our medical care...good strong policies, good coverage that has now been grossly affected...we are now in a huge mess...what are we supposed to do??? what would normally cost me less that 500 a year now cost me well over 5000 dollars a year...before it's said and done, I may end up losing my house, I am literally only $50 a month above the amount of qualifying for medicaid...what is fair about this???"

"Plus, Republicans will NEVER pass their own reform - they've never tried. Reagan, Bush and W never even attempted reform while Clinton and Obama did. So, judging by this record, if we are going to repair our broken HC system, it will have to be the Democrats who do it."

"The funny thing about the con argument is that it comes from those who are anti-Obama & anti-for-the-people. European countries have such care and it so works. We have citizens that die here in the greatest country on earth due to lack of affordable healthcare. I myself from time to time haven't had healthcare for my family even though I have always worked full time because it wasn't affordable. Government for the people by the people. Republicans haven't care or had a solution that addresses all US citizens in all our history and now allof a sudden, they know best. Where wre they when we had 12 years of the Bush's? Thank you Obama, thank you Supreme court for stepping up to the plate and making the tough decision a reality!"

"It's simple. Without everyone participating costs will rise. Hyper-ventilation about the individual mandate ignores the fact that we are already forced to buy two insurance policies by the government - Social Security and Medicare. And guess what? They are really popular."

"but my ? is this what about us that have pd in and bought our policies through our jobs our whole life that this reform is now making so costly that is it basically becoming worthless and it was excellent coverage, and basically cost us nothing out of pocket until 2 yrs ago???"

"I find it interesting that the Rebublicians want to relpace Obama's plan with a "voucher like" system that allows the individual a specific amount of money to shop their insurance coverage. So..we are replacing a democratic system that monitors our health care with one that is controled by the CEO's of the insurance companies. They will make the life and death decesions of what coverage we get based on what we can pay. Hmmmm."

"Obamacare is a big improvement over what we had before, but the law did not go far enough. We should have a single payer system where every citizen could go to any doctor and receive whatever treatment they needed. Insurance cost me $70 a month as a young adult. Now it costs me over $400 a month and it is not nearly as good. Why would I want more private insurance? Screw that. I want health care from people who care about health and not about profit. Shame on those right-wingers for trying to de-fund and dismantle some of the only progress we've ever made on this issue in the last 20 years."

"Where is the Congressional Budget Office assessment comparing the national ROI for all of us in the U.S. to abandon private insurance policies in favor of just one, national coverage pool to cover the costs of essential health coverage? As an old-fashioned Republican, I reject the notion that if my neighbor refuses to pay for necessary coverage that he CAN buy, my premiums and taxes must pay when he gets sick or injured. Let everyone be covered with the same basic tax-supported policy, and let those who want to supplement essential coverage with special or concierge services pay for them in a private insurance market. Some day we'll find the wisdom to realize that a healthy citizenry functions better in all aspects of life and is less of burden on American business and competitiveness than we are today. The so-called "Obamacare," which has its roots in Republican administrations of the mid-Twentieth Century, take the U.S. in the right direction."

"I believe a healthy society recognizes certain basic rights of the individuals who comprize it. Most all of the developed world agrees and provides universal health care to some degree. The US has been lagging in this for decades."

"I support the legislation. The tens of millions of uninsured speak for themselves. The Medical Community had decades to address the problem of affordable health care delivery and have failed to exercise prudent judgment. Platitudes like the "free market" will not fix what is broken and today, there are too many patients showing up in the emergency rooms for basic health care."

"The problem is the health care reform law doesn't go far enough. For health care financing to make sense, all premiums spent in one's lifetime for health insurance should be returned, less an administrative fee paid to the insurer. However, once you are 65 all premiums paid are now profits for the insurer and medicare (the taxpayer) foots the bill for future health care. Insurers should insure from cradle to grave, whether it is medicare for everyone or whether the insurance industry becomes more like a utility company."

"but if you are still w/them are you still now paying prems to have a secondary or supplement??? I know I've done nothing but suffer from this. Because I have children I cannot profit from Part-D. I have to use my employer ins. Which all co pays and deductibles since this whole reform thing have doubled to tripled...this is a royal nightmare..what is happening...this may be fine for the upper class America, those who have gained medicaid, and the government officials w/free lifetime healthcare, but for those of us just over the lowest poverty line this is a living nightmare...I'm having to play Russian Roulette w/my meds ea month...do I want my heart meds, seizure meds, diabetic meds & supplies, high blood pressure meds...hmmm what shall I do w/o this month"

"We need medicare for all HR 676 in order to cover everyone and save a significant amount of money. We have the necessary ingredients but not the political will to not have the insurance industry or the pharmaceutical industry involved in a profit making venture"

"Why should everyone just be handed healthcare without having to earn it? Not only is it not our government's responsibility, it's a waste of government money needed for other duties, like defend our country, etc. Nothing is free in life, and who is going to pay for this expensive healthcare? Are you going to pay for it? And if you're going to say taxpayers, why should some people pay for healthcare that they don't want? Such as the Christians and Catholics who find some of the things in the Obamacare package unethical, like birth control and abortion rights, why should they pay for it?"

"It is good, but it does not go far enough. We need far more public oversight of costs and delivery. We are far too inclined to inefficient treatments and lack of primary care.

There is very little impact on liberty and none on economic efficiency.

Compare the fairly minor provisions of individual mandate against such silly things as our "war on illegal drugs" and prosecutorial abuses and the only conclusion is that this is more politics and plutocracy than principle as an objection."

"Only in America would a nation have allowed greedy barbarians to run our health care system into the ground. Only in America were manufacturing jobs chased out of the country partly due to the onerous health care costs foisted on the nation's businesses. Obama did a good thing. He fought hard and got what he could for a start to untangling this mess of a "health care system". The barbarians have lost. Hopefully we won't be the laughingstock of the free world much longer."

"Greedy barbarians..... what do you want a communist system our current system is called CAPITALISM for a reason if you want a system where you get free health care but are forced to work for the goverment for 15 cents an hour move to china. Greedy barbarians, are you a comie?"

CON (no) Comments (48)

"Healthcare COSTS are the problem, not healthcare insurance. Insurance premiums are high because healthcare is expensive. The only ones that are going to profit from this "healthcare reform" are the insurance companies. The real issues (healthcare costs) are not being adequately addressed."

"Actually, I would be interested to know where one could find the actual cost of anything with regards to health care. My neighbor and I each went to the same hospital for our mammograms within one week of each other. We are both self-employed and, therefore, privately self-insured. Her billed cost was $100 less than mine although she is older. The only difference was we had different insurance companies. We each ended up paying the same amount as a co-pay. When I asked friends who work for and vehemently defend insurance companies why this is the case and what the actual cost of a mammogram is, their reply was simply, "well, no one knows that." THAT is the problem. Hospitals bill what they feel will get them the income they need. Insurance companies collect premiums, pay a negotiated lower percentage of what they're billed (not the actual cost) and write off the inflated difference. Seems to me like it's the insurance companies who drive up the "costs" and are the root of the problem."

"i hear that, did you know(letting you know i've worked med insurance for many years) the health care providers set their price w/the insurance companies based on the type of program they are enrolled in for instance PPO pays 1 rate HMO pays another and so on) then they make up the difference for the cut price rate by passing the price hike to the private pay and out of network patients which totally stinks, but that is the honest to God's truth..."

"I don't see your point. There are provisions that attempt to address costs and certainly it talks to high administrative cost of insurance. The kind of regulatory and cost oversight that most countries with near universal/universal coverage have would take a lot of doing. The best thing we could have done would have been to set up some voluntary public option experiments that focused on what is cost effective care. Also our system is ridiculous about drugs and tests and procedures for the sake of procedures."

"you couldn't be more wrong. Without HCR, insurance companies could impose lifetime limites, like 250K.Cancel your coverage if you should meet that lifetime limit. Now they can not. I urge you to read the legislation at healthcare.gov"

"Not only cost but the insurance itself is a huge problem for the american people. When I tried to get insurance I was completely denied due to a preexistence condition with my mental health. Even now health insurance is extremely terrible for help with what I need. I had to go though help with the my county and through a local college for help that I needed and now I couldn't be better but I had to pay out way more then with not only money but with time to get this type of help that I believe my health insurance should cover. Also I did not need to stay on medication because I got the one on one help that I needed that my health insurance now wouldn't even come close to cover. No one should profit from the illness of others. Whatever I have or may get should always be able to be taken care of by my insurance company."

"How can it be constatutional to force someone to buy health care insurance when they can't afford food? My daughter and her husband can barely afford property taxes, car insurance, utilities. They were forced to cancel their home owners insurance because of cost. I subsidize all emergencies they encounter. They live from paycheck to paycheck without any luxuries. All this Act does is force me to pay yet another bill for them."

"@ T Mowry: That's why this bill could be very dangerous to those who are considered middle-class even though they barely jump the mark on the poverty standard. People in these situations will be forced to pay for something they can't afford, but the IRS doesn't see your situation as a problem. That's why our government is inefficient and sometimes idiotic."

"Funny how neither of these replies to your comment realize that not all "low" income (paycheck to paycheck) people qualify for these assistance programs. I am in the exact same situation. My wife does not work, as childcare would cost more than her potential income, I work full time, and go to school full time, trying to better myself for my family. We barely scrape by, theres never any left overs; yet we still make "too much" to qualify for any type of assistance what so ever. My health insurance costs are insane, over $100 / week for a family of 3. Yet if I had 5,6, even 20 children, my cost would remain exactly the same (HDHP). How is this in any way ethical? Oh and this is blue cross, not some fly by night company"

"Is it really better if her and her husband to not receive any healthcare? The amount of money it'll cost them if something unforeseen happens such as a broken bone or a complex blood test will be far greater than what you're paying now. I don't think it's something that you should risk."

"well then perhaps you should stick to the republican ideology of "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" and not pay for her anymore. tell her to pick herself up, because according to republicans she shouldn't need your help."

"If you have not listened to thirty minutes of the final mark up of the health reform bill you will not be making an informed decision on this issue. Below is the link of the timeline of the most important 30 minutes of this year long debate.http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/event.php?id=179436. Scroll down to 01:30:00 and listen until you reach 02:00:00 of the timeline. Then decide if either party has your best interest at heart. What you will hear is unethical at best. Personally I find all the misrepresentations,half-truths and lies of ommission by both democrats and republicans to be criminal..C-span should be required listening of all who vote!"

"Nonsense. Look at the "Did you know?" section. Thanks to Grassley's attempted poison pill amendment, Congressmen, uniquely among all Americans, are REQUIRED to buy their insurance via the government run exchanges."

"I am amazed that your poll at the time of this post show responses to question 14 as 78% Yes - i.e. People have a right to healthcare. This attitude it why our country is in the economic state it it currently in, and why the rest of the world is rapidly going down the same path, albeit, slightly ahead of the USA. If you have a right to this, then you have a right to a home, food, income, car and everything else that makes life so comfortable. Note, I did not say "job" as so many think they have a right to government money without working for it. Life is a struggle, we have every right to help our families first and, with compassion, provide charitiy to those less fortunate. We do not have a right tosteal from one to give to another. Our less "religious" friends tout evolution, but deny a higher being; are against the death penalty but calmly murder unborn children and confiscate the fruits of their labor from those that are productive and give to those that are indolent. We should always protect those that are helpless, but not those who will not help themselves. You have no RIGHT to healthcare, just the right to freely seek life, liberty and the persuit of happiness without trampling on others or stealing that lawfully aquired."

"Why do we say that all Americans have a "right" to an elementary education??? Yes, it does them some good (hopefully), but the real reason is not compassion for the individual. The real reason we've made that a "right" is because it's the smart thing for ALL of us. An educated populace is essential for society to prosper. It's easy to say things should be the way you're saying, but if you were to live in that kind of society I think you would feel very different."

"I guess the question there is: how will you determine who "will" or "will not" help themselves? Is there a test, or a way to ensure "this person is helping themselves"...vs..."this person is not? Ironically, as you seem to come from a religious angle, it is the Christian Hospitals that are the largest % of America's disproportionate share hospitals (meaning - they care for anyone, regardless of coverage, or no coverage) - they do it in a charitable fashion - why? Because, at least according to them, it is what Jesus would want, and because you can not judge anyone (which Jesus also stated), and because they are simply doing the right thing. Ironically also - they make good money doing so, and they do no get much from the government (at least, not as much as you would think, trust me! Ask your local "St. xxxx Charity Hospital" (insert name of saint in the x's) and they will tell you.

Finally...your last statement: "You have no RIGHT to healthcare, just the right to freely seek life, liberty and the persuit of happiness."

Grammar/spelling aside...says who? You? Why do people not have a right to healthcare? Is being treated when you are sick a "luxury"? Ok Henry VIII..."

"This is an example of a "slippery slope" argument, which is a weak, anecdotal argument at best. As used above in this case it's a non argument since it's clear the author is pressing a religious agenda."

"ObamaCare Glitch? I've read this..it's scary that what's most important to know about Obama Care is still considered "debatable". But they go ahead and release it. It seems to me, if things are debatable and not concrete why release it to the public when they aren't sure what's going on. That's why there's so many glitches in this. Most Americans fall under the "debatable" categories and aren't able to move forward with getting signed on. they have to wait until things are no longer "debatable" to the government! Looks good on paper but the real thing is just a crock at the moment (or two?) while our tax dollars have aleady been spent setting up this "debatable" enterprise. Question remains..Will I get the best care? Answer from our government...Well ma'am that's DEBATABLE."

"Not all "low" income (paycheck to paycheck) people qualify for these assistance programs that the Govt' offers. My wife does not work, as childcare would cost more than her potential income, I work full time, and go to school full time, trying to better myself for my family. We barely scrape by, theres never any left overs; yet we still make "too much" to qualify for any type of assistance what so ever. My health insurance costs are insane, over $100 / week for a family of 3. Yet if I had 5,6, even 20 children, my cost would remain exactly the same (HDHP). How is this in any way ethical? Sure, it's great insurance after you shell out $7500 / year in expenses. After all, what person doesn't carry that kind of coin around in their pocket anyway?"

"I am a single parent working 2 part time jobs.with one chilld I qualified for a tax credit and with both of my children on my accountI got my credit taken away. I gross monthly like $1700-$2200. How can they do that to americans? It is so unfair! I am going to have to cancel my insurance and just pay the penalty."

"this doesn't add up; the kaiser calculator suggests you should be way under 100$/weekif you are really poor you should be able to get almost no cost medicaid, unlessyou live in a state where the GOP state gov't NOT obama, has refused medicaid expansion..I guess that is your problem, so it is local/state gop pols who are costing you"

"You are all looking at healthcare reform the wrong way. Statistically it is a very small portion of the population that utilizes most of the healthcare dollars. What would happen to the premiums if claims that exceed $100,000 were sent to a large claim management system operated by the Federal Government. What % of the population actually has a claim that exceed $100,000? What if insurance companies only had to insure up to this amount? It is probably only 5% or less that this would apply to . The Feds should be addressing catastrophic claims not every medical claim. To think that each one of us will have the IRS involved not only in the income part of our lives but now also our health makes me ill."

""the IRS involved..."what is the big deal ? you already report to the gov't all your income, when you open a bank account now you have to tell em all sorts of stuffyou are NOT getting the IRS into your health; you are merely telling them if you had insurance; if yes, fine if not fine (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)

PS: one of the major parts of ACA are various things (caricatured as death panels) to reduce costs, including a LOT of efforts to manage people with large claims - it is well know that there are a small number of people with huge bills, and the ACA has a lot of ideas to try and fix this; some will be good; some will be bad, but they are at least trying"

"The reason the United States ranks towards the bottom of all advanced nations in terms of any objective measurement of quality of health & healthcare, is there is too much profit at every stage of our medical system. How can people say medical marijuana must be non-profit but allow all the Pharma corporations & the hospital executives to profit to the tune of millions of dollars?"

"From my experience in being involved in healthcare government is ineffective in managing it's resources.If I had a medical issue getting things resolved, I believe, would be a nightmare with government run healthcare. How would I hold them accountable? What would be my recourse?"

"It's not JUSTICE - it is JUST US! When the current admin started dishing out waivers - it became a forced issue where people on the right have little chance to get out from under it and those who were more likely to want it were taken out of the mix so they could not get it."

"You cant force people to buy into a privatized thing such as health care. I understand Obama is trying to help poorer Americans because he is a democrate but by doing so he is pushing America to a socialist society that has a congested health care and that any high school drop out hoodlum can get a free ride."

"Obama isn't doing this just to help poor people. This helps ALL of us since every taxpayer is ALREADY paying for the uninsured. And this country would look very different if we didn't have the social safety net and other "redistributive" programs like the GI bill and Pell grants. It would be a much bleaker society."

"the health care law by president Obama is a socialist concept. the idea to have everyone pay for and receive only one kind of program is a socialism. with Obama Care it creates a system where people become more dependable on the government and less upon themselves. the fact comes down weather or not the health care plan "could" be "good" but if it is constitutional. in the constitution the government can not create a law that makes the people to force to buy anything and right now the supreme court is reviewing the law. this branch, the Judicial branch, has the power to review law and decide if its Constitution. what is best for the people is for the Government to stay within the Constitution, staying within what the Country was designed to be."

"Perhaps the biggest problem with this act is the fact that it is not bipartisan. No one seems to understand the problem and the significance of the polarization of this law but we are less united as a people and a country, and I lay 100% of the blame for this on President Obama. If it doesn't work the country goes through he'll as this minimally impacts 17% of our total economy. This issue should have been handled differently, more inclusively, and less divisibly. Democrats can ignore me and the rest of us Republicans but truthfully this is risking the well being of this nation. Shame on you. Truthfully it would be much better for all of us to start over. Meanwhile the democrats destroy the integrity of the election process, promote government intrusion via the IRS into private citizen affairs, and ignore any and all discussion to the contrary of their opinion. Contrary to what they think Obama and his administration is and has been much more dangerous to the welfare of this country than ever was Nixon and Watergate. It was citizen republicans whom forced Nixon out. Are there no citizen Democrats?"

"I am tired of the government spending what little money I have for me. MANDATORY anything is not good for the economy and by the laws that are created to enforce MANDATORY it just creates a new definition of CRIMINAL. How many people are in jail today because they simply could not AFFORD MANDATORY car insurance? MANDATORY is just a new way for the government to turn the poor in this country into criminals. People that think these MANDATORY pickpocket laws are good have money and have never been poor. Most people can barely keep a roof over their head. They don't need the government taking more money they don't have from them."

"Have you ever been in a car accident involving an uninsured motorist? Have you ever been asked to pay the medical bills for an uninsured patient? If you've ever paid for insurance you have. When people don't have insurance and they require services or do damages someone else has to pay for it. That would be all of us who pay our premiums.

No one is making people drive, or making them go to the hospital. The problem occurs when uninsured people use these "freedoms" we Americans enjoy and then expect others to pay their bills. A big reason why premiums are so high is because of the uninsured population. Someone has to pay their debt. It is far easier for the insurance companies to spread it out to all of their paying customers than it is to sue and collect when the uninsured likely have nothing of value to go after in the first place.

The simple solution: No insurance, no use. That means no hospital visits and no driving (among other things).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing for national health plans. However, it is time to stop letting people take advantage of those who work hard, abide by the laws, and yet manage to survive without welfare, handouts, and charity."

"I can't believe you find mandatory car insurance criminal. Do you honesty believe people should drive their cars, cause a wreck and then have no liability for the people and property they damaged? I sincerely hope I don't meet you on the highway. Sorry, but we have responsibilities in life, and caring about others is one of them."

"I am new to procon.org. It sounds good. I particularly like item 5 in 'About us'. "Research done or vetted by experienced professionals". That is the kind of thing we need.

Then I look at your "Top 10 Pros & Cons" and find no indication or research and vetting.

To comment specifically on item number 6 "Medical Bankruptcy Prevention".

When you look at government bankrucy reports you see that the criteria for declaring a bankrupcy 'medically caused' it is medical bills exceeding $5000. Other causes, such as loss of employment or home foreclosure could be many times greater, but if medical bills exceed $5000 it is declared a medical bankrupcy.I suggest this is the reason so many (62%) are declared medically related.To be blunt the process is skewed."

"this reform has cost me thousands of dollars!! it has made my deductible more than double, my out of pocket triple, my RX co pays go up $15 ea, go from 100% coverage to 80/20, my office visit co pays go from $15-$30 & $40, 0 hosp to $100, ER $50-$150, now I have to use a mail order RX instead of using my regular RX, I've lost my hardware coverage on my vision coverage. Just to start. I also have other co pays I never had before either. And I'm out on long term disability, on medicare, and can't have part-D and keep the coverage to cover my family. I have been totally screwed by this. I'm less than $50 dollars from qualifying for food stamps and medicaid. Yet, I'm forced now to pay out the nose. For a program to help the low income all you've done is destroy us!! you try living on less than 2,000 a month, and pay approx. 400 in RX a month, plus Dr. bills and raise a 16 yr old. See how far your money goes. TYSM for screwing the middle man again!!!"

"do you understand that there are 350,000,000 people in this country ?And that some will pay more and others less ?Also, it sounds like a lot of your problems are because you live in a state where GOP politicians refused to expand medicaid."

"Your cost keep going up because you are still insured by a private insurance company out to make a profit. The increases you speak of have nothing to do with the new law,only used by the private sector to increase your costs and increase their profits."

"Where, in our entire history, does it say that we have the "right" to health care. I could just as easily say that I have the right to own a Lamborghini and get the government to make them give me one for a price I can afford...or free in some cases. Lets say I can get on board with providing healthcare for people that can afford it but MAKING people sign up is ridiculous!!! Keep in mind the money that pays for the healthcare for those that cant afford it is coming from those that can....."

"we the people who pay taxes are most certainly entitled to any and all that the government has to offer!! they certainly afford themselves to the best ofwhat our taxes can give them,including raises in their paychecks! GODonly knows how much they get, not to mention the increases they give themselves! so yeah i deserve healthcare got aproblem with that?"

"Affordable? Yeah right! I have two chilldren.One is almost 19, they both get wash. apple health,(medicaid). As soon as I added my 18 year old they took my tax credit away. I earn between $1800-$2100 a month. There is no way I can afford to pay what they want. The cheapest plan is $258 a month. And thats the plan that has a $5200 deductible. So no, The Affordable health care act is NOT good for america. Guess i just have to disenroll myself and pay the penalty."

"The heath care bill is the death of freedom. The government will now control our heath care, will literally control who lives or dies and when. Will have access to all our financial records and be able to reach into our personal accounts and take our money. Not even George Orwell contemplated a government as devious and controlling as this Obama administration."

"@ efk: Yes, let's have a debate like adults. Apparently that means writing replies to posts using words like "LOL" and calling conservative ideals "lunacy". It's funny, you wanted to debate but you didn't offer any evidence to support your non-existent claim. And yes, further comment is needed because there wasn't even a point for you to prove. Maybe you should look at the other side f things instead of being single-minded. I bet you haven't even considered the consequences this bill will have on our nations doctors."

"This comment is a perfect example of the complete lunacy that plays a big role in the opposition to this bill. If you want to disagree with the bill on it's actual merits - fine. Lets' have that debate like adults. But please spare us this hyperbole: "death of freedom" "govt deciding who lives and dies" and they'll "take our money". LOL!!!! this stuff is just ridiculous!!! no further comment is needed."

"Obama Care is the biggest sham going. The Government can't force a person to buy insurance or any other product from a private company! This bill is an insurance company bailout! The insurance companies and banks have invested in toxic derivatives that have eaten up their profits. Now, as in all fascist governments, they are askng taxpayers to bail them out...

The IRS is the enforcer to make sure the insurance companies get their money, there will be the equivalent of death panels that will deny care to disabled, wheelchair bound seniors like myself...

Obama and Pelosi could not care less about Americans getting adequate health care. They are beholden to the same interest that wrote the bill."

"@Terri-Actually, you're wrong. The government cannot force people to do it, or they shouldn't anyway. That is not a principle that the Founding Fathers would have laid out if they were still here today. We are about letting people have the choice. Sure, the government can roll out some healthcare, but they shouldn't choose FOR PEOPLE if they should have it or not. The beauty of the government is that it is here for the states to do things that would be overly complicated for them to do, like national defense and mail carrying. You are right about one thing, it isn't officially called "Obamacare", but can people call it what they want to, or are you going to make that choice for us too?"

"Wrong is every aspect. And what has bailouts got to do with healthcare? Then, let us know if you are denied care as you claim. The only problems with the new law are those the Republicans insisted on, then wouldn't vote for. If Obama had his original ideas used, we'd have a 100% run system like we now have in the VA. Which happens to be the best system in the world."

"The Government forces us to buy car insurance? Hello?!?! Although each state has it's minimum coverage, it trickles down from the higher government authority. Each state needs to go by the minimum standards. So how can't they force us to have insurance again?"

"Anything that gives the government more control over the lives of people is wrong. Some people are so concerned about security, and being taken care of, that they are sacrificing their liberties. Do they not realize that if a person is not free, he is not secure?"

"Medical decisions need to be made between the doctor and the patient. Obamacare infringes on that right by forcing medical decisions through the government. It has too many hidden rules and regulations. If the goal was to provide more funding to people who need it, that could be done easily, but separately."

"@Justine-what are you talking about? Obama and the Democrats are the ones eating up the American people's money by making us all buy stupid healthcare when they can get a plan that's much cheaper. They're forcing people who have perfectly fine healthcare already to buy this, and the Republicans are the ones trying to prevent it. Their solution is to give the people the choice whether or not they want/need to buy it, and if they do they should decide where they get it from. The government is infringing on our rights here, and OBAMA is the one DISRESPECTING the PEOPLE he is serving."

"There were 33 attempts to pass this bill. If the Republicans weren't so against Obama/Democrats, they could have easily offered up a better alternative. Instead they ate up taxpayer money in an obstinate attempt to disrepect the seat of the presidency."

"Incorrect. "Obamacare" maintains the profit based, insurance company run health care system we ALREADY have. (Which is what many liberals don't like about it BTW.) So it will still be the insurance company getting between you and your doctor, not the govt."

"The 2007 Massachusetts universal coverage law is similar to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Like the law in MA, PPACA will increase costs, created shortages of healthcare resources, and have no beneficial effect on population health, in general."

"just wrongthe total number of uninsured in the USofA is down, a lotI live in MA, and it is true that for a short period after passage, there were shortages of GPs, but in general, shortages have nothing to do with ACAhowever, I assume you can backup your last statement with some citations or references or some other form of data ?"

"I truly believe that this' Obamacare' thing is just a reason for the president to pull the united states of America into a partial dictatorship and slight communist state. I mean come on there are many flaws in this obamacare such as the site not working and it having to be practically snuck in to be passed. Come on who doesn't want to be exactly the same as everyone else. Who doesn't want their health coverage ruined. And p.s younger people won't buy into this they will just change their habits a smidge and tweak a couple of things they do to stay healthy"

"What about us Americans who can not afford this oboma'care'. I could not afford health care before so it was my CHOICE not to have it, and now i'm being striped of my freedom, and told I must pay for something I have never used or needed in my life, let alone could afford along with my other bills? I will be paying for something I do not need so someone else can get health care and who takes advantage of the system. I am outraged! We now have a bunch of lazy, selfish, unintelegent democraps."

"And what happens when YOU get sick? You go through the system and guess what, insured and responsible people are FORCED to pay for you via raised insurance premiums. So you will be paying for something that will be available to you, god forbid you should fall ill and need to pay. Think before you spew."

"Healthcare shouldn't be forced on people, and you shouldn't be fined for not getting healthcare. Also:

"One issue is the cap on smokers (and other conditions). While it does benefit them, it punishes non-smokers and non-elderly. My insurence rate because of the affordable care act rose by a tune of ~1,300 a year without my care changing. Because the law requires that a same age similiar health smoker (or another condition) can only pay X% more then I do. Despite the increase cancer risk, breathing problems, broncitis risk, dibetus etc."

I shouldn't have to pay more health insurance rates for someone elses bad decisions. I don't smoke, those are not my pre-existing conditions, so why should I have to pay a higher rate? I am all for a better healthcare system but not one like this."

"yeah and i shouldn't have to pay for some obese persons issue's due to their inability to stop over eating, or taxes for schools i have no children why should I have to pay for someone else's kid to learn?? taxes for infrastructure i don't drive i rarely travel outside of my community, why should i have to pay for you to drive state to state?? you get the gist??!!"

"My monthly premium has risen almost 62% since Obamacare was enacted. I am retired but don't qualify for the tax credits, so that's supposed to be held against me? I didn't know that I was going to have to personally pay for the ACA. What is affordable about that? It STINKS!"

"Obamacare or no care, your wasting your time with this. Obama gets paid to talk to people to encourage them to buy his product so others can trust him and possibly get elected again, EVEN THO this is his last term. If you promise the state or sorry ALL 52 states that Obamacare is insured care then show it dont talk. All the government needs is taxes from people to do things behind our back acting all benign to everyone. Well take a look at it on the con side of the issue."

"NO! The moment the law passes my policy went up $225 per month. I called and asked why, they told me that it was because I had to buy it now. It was law, so they could charge me more. I bought another policy that was cancelled due to not being in compliance with the new law. I bought a third policy that also got cancelled. I finally reverted to the website for Obamacare and looked for a policy. They were all almost double what I was paying before the "Affordable Care Act" was passed. They also have a lot worse care! That means is should be called "The UN-Affordable Care Act". It has hurt families like me, who aren't rich enough to pay for expensive insurance, but not poor enough to have tax payers pay it for me. The package I was looking at buying only had two doctors in our area that even accepted the insurance. That is not better care. The only ones who are benefiting from this law are the insurance companies that are raising rates and collecting more money from their customers. Now I cash pay everything and am paying less than I ever have for my families health. My bills are lower and I go to whatever doctor I need without the red tape of the insurance companies. They are the real problem with healthcare."

"I think this is going to affect all American's that have Medicare, making the quality of health care poor. I believe doctor's will not be paid on a timely basis and therefore not being able to provide the best care. I think there a parts of the health care reform that are positive, but overall I believe this is going to hurt American's."

"The Affordable Care Act has been in effect for 8 years. In that time many delays and changes to the original law have occurred. Many lawmakers feel that the changes and delays were illegal and needed congressional approval to take place. In an article, Jost wrote, "On November 14, 2013, the administration notified state insurance commissioners that it would allow states the option of delaying enforcement of various ACA requirements that would have prohibited, as of January 1, 2014, the renewal of noncompliant policies in the individual and small-group markets." (Jost, 2014) this is just one example of a regulation that in most cases would require congressional approval with a majority vote to enact. While it is not unheard of for a law to be delayed it is very uncommon for part of its guidelines or timelines to be changed. Every leader takes liberties while they are in office, and the repeal of ACA will not help the underprivileged that it assisted, but it is important to be aware when the rules are being bent a little too far.

ReferenceJost, T., & Lazarus, S. (2014). Obama's ACA delays--breaking the law or making it work? The New England Journal of Medicine, 370(21), 1970-1."

"Everyone should have health insurance coverage, however, since the enactment of Obamacare getting the care has been a lengthy process. I call my insurer which states it takes an average of 10 days for authorization on tests and doctor consults which I confronted them on their comment asking why it takes months to a year before something is approved? So far I have yet to get a truthful answer and continue to suffer consequences from lack of medical services in order for my doctor to get a proper diagnosis."

"Total cost of Medicare: $600 billion/yrEstimates of fraud & abuse: 10% - 20%These programs spend substantially less than private insurers on ADMINISTRATIVE costs such as claims scrutiny and compliance with the regulatory requirements, and the losses due to the slack administration of the programs, and must be factored in as a direct administrative cost."

"Obamacare Condensed:1) In order to insure the uninsured, we first have to un-insure the insured.2) Next, we require the newly un-insured to be re-insured.3) To re-insure the newly un-insured, they are required to pay extra charges to be re-insured.4) The extra charges are required so that the original insured, who became un-insured, and then became re-insured, can pay enough extra so that the original un-insured can be insured "free-of-charge" to them."

"There needs to be an evaluation of the loopholes in who qualifies for the health care subsidy. The intent is to help low income people receive health care. There are several people who are extremely wealthy who are able to live on their savings instead of drawing an income that are getting free health care because they are living off their savings. If they have enough savings to not draw a salary or pension, they shouldn't get a subsidy. This is wrong!!"

"aNY TRUTH TO THE FOLLOWING? WHERE CAN I FIND IT WITHIN THE- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?> "The per person Medicare Insurance Premium will increase from the present Monthly Fee of $96.40, rising to:> $104.20 in 2012>> $120.20 in 2013>> And>> $247.00 in 2014.">> These are Provisions incorporated in the Obamacare Legislation, > purposely delayed so as not to confuse the 2012 Re-Election Campaigns."

"Totally wrong, period. There are no such provisions in the new law. This idea has been going around on email for months and is garbage. I would suggest you check FactCheck.com or read the law yourself. Viral emails is not the place to find correct information about anything."

"It really is amazing how people read something in those chain emails and just believe it outright without any verification at all, and knowing nothing about the source of the "information"."

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